Can Hawks give Heat gift of homecourt in East?

ASK IRA:

Ask Ira is a daily feature of the Sun Sentinel

April 29, 2014|By Ira Winderman, SunSentinel.com

April 29, 2014

Q: Two of the Heat's biggest nemeses, Indiana and Chicago, are both one game away from elimination in this year's playoffs. Even though both teams play ferocious defense, they lack enough offensive skilled players to complete at the NBA playoff level. -- Stuart.

A: It clearly takes both, and at times the Nets also can struggle with their offense, with an all-or-nothing approach with Paul Pierce. But I'm still not ready to write off the Pacers, not because they're necessarily resilient, but because the reality is they're still playing an opponent that finished the regular season with a losing record. With Paul George and David West, Indiana still has two of the best players in that series. But the reality is that the Heat are one Hawks victory from reclaiming homecourt advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. It's still something I won't believe until I see it. Even in their diminished state, the Pacers are still capable of winning in Atlanta and then rolling the dice back at home, when Roy Hibbert actually might get a rebound or point.

Q: I always had a little fear of LeBron James going to play with buddy Chris Paul in L.A., but I think the unfortunate event that transpired this weekend with Donald Sterling will cement to LeBron what he has in a classy organization and owner with Micky Arison. -- Julio.

A: I agree. One certainly would have to believe the Clippers are out now . . . unless Magic Johnson buys the team. (I know he says that he's not planning any such move, but it does make sense on some levels.) Then it could an entirely new ballgame when it comes to the Clippers. But you're right, LeBron has expressed too much anti-Clippers sentiment with his words and actions to reverse course, seemingly no matter what the league might do. It sure seems like the Clippers are about to become the Clippers again.

Q: Why didn't Greg Oden get any playing time against the Bobcats? -- Tre.

A: Because there was no need, and the playoffs are not about rewarding perseverance. They're about winning four games as efficiently as possible and moving on. I had thought all along that Oden's best chance for playoff minutes might have been against Joakim Noah. Based on how things are going for the Bulls, that opportunity could be close to expiring.

April 28, 2014

Q: Is Shane Battier resting for the next series against Paul Pierce and Joe Johnson? -- Oci.

A: Shane certainly isn't "resting," and I'm sure would love to be more involved. But the wheel of rotations has shifted to James Jones for the moment. But I do see your point from this perspective: It's easier for Erik Spoelstra to spot Jones as a 3-point specialist against the Bobcats because there aren't many perimeter scorers who can seize on his defensive limitations on the other end. That obviously wouldn't be the case against the Nets and Pierce, Johnson or even Shaun Livingston. To a degree, I think Shane somewhat checked out this season amid his plans to retire in the offseason. I also believe Spoelstra has made it clear to Battier that it is imperative to stay in the moment. Of course it's difficult to predict what's next, because Nets-Raptors isn't over, nor is Heat-Bobcats (officially) for that matter.

Q: Chris Andersen gives to this Heat team what Alonzo Mourning gave the Heat's first title season, but more. Birdman can play longer minutes and his stats are even better. -- Martin.

A: I agree. But keep in mind that the Heat had a definitive All-Star center in 2006 in Shaquille O'Neal, who still was close to the top of his game. So there was only so much the Heat needed from Zo in his diminished state amid his kidney issues. For the current Heat team, where the only true center (Greg Oden) isn't even playing, Andersen's length and shot-blocking have proven essential. He clearly was the Heat's Sixth Man of the Year this regular season amid the uneven play of Ray Allen and Norris Cole.

Q: I love you as a writer, but that list of guys possibly signing with the Heat for minimum contracts next season is insane. -- James.

A: The point in my Sunday column was not necessarily which of those names I listed would be available for the minimum, but merely that there are enough names on this summer's free-agency list that certainly one or two of those attractive names could fall into the Heat's luxury-tax price range. My other point was that if LeBron James is involved in the recruiting, the Heat likely could get players at somewhat of a discount. Players like playing with LeBron. A lot.